BRADD Crellin is eager to move on from a frustrating 2016 season after agreeing a new two-year contract with Barrow Raiders.

The former Millom amateur was restricted to just eight appearances during the campaign which saw Barrow make a run to the Kingstone Press League One play-off final after a promising start was curtailed by injury.

They included suffering a broken nose and facial injuries in the Challenge Cup defeat at Hunslet which led to a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the versatile back row wanting to banish those memories and help Raiders pick up where they left off last season.

“It was a tough one for me,” recalled Crellin. “I started off the year pretty well, I was going well fitness-wise and then I started playing the games and was putting in pretty decent performances.

“But then we went away to Hunslet and I came away will a nasty facial and head injury, and I think I was out for 16 weeks in total until I played my next game. Then when I played my next game, I knew I wasn’t right and sat out a few more weeks.

“It was quite frustrating because all I had was a cut lip, but I could still run. Physically, there was nothing wrong with me, but because it’s a head injury, you’ve got to be sensible with it and give it time to recover.

“Personally, I just want to put in a decent pre-season and push on. We’ve got the cup games first and once we get into the league, hopefully we can get on a run like we did last season.”

Despite his playing time being limited in the past year, the versatile back-rower is still regarded as a valuable member of the squad and is entering his third year with the club, having made the switch to Craven Park from Whitehaven ahead of the 2015 season.

Raiders director of rugby Andy Gaffney is in no doubt Crellin will have a big role to play next year and is delighted the club have been able to agree this contract with him.

“Bradd has been unlucky with injuries in the past year,” said Gaffney. “His ability to play as an edge player or middle block is invaluable, and he can do both equally well.

“He is a great professional who gets on with whatever is asked of him. Players are always comfortable with Bradd playing alongside them, which is testament to the regard he is held in at the club.”

For his part, Crellin was keen to get a deal done as soon as possible, and revealed he turned down offers from both former club Whitehaven and fellow West Cumbrian side Workington Town to remain with the Raiders.

Signing a two-year deal brings with it extra security as well, and Crellin is looking forward to being able to focus solely on helping the team achieve promotion.

“I wanted to get it done pretty quickly,” said Crellin. “I wasn’t looking to go anywhere else and I wanted to stay at Barrow, so it was good to get it signed off pretty quickly. It’s good just to get a bit of stability. This will be my third season now, so it’s just good where I’m going to be for the next two years and I can just concentrate on what we need to do.”